COLIN MACKAY: Difficult decisions in face of COVID-19

Stay home is such a simple message being put forward by every single politician in Canada.

Yet, a certain percentage of the population is ignoring this straightforward message. As result, politicians are being forced to enact emergency measures. Only essential services will remain open in Ontario. On the other hand, people who are complying understand in order to stop the spread of a virus, remaining apart from each other is important. It shouldn’t be this difficult to get everyone on the same page. The sooner citizens comply and stay home, spreading of the virus becomes more difficult, and, in turn, hopefully, the virus peters out.

Politicians are facing difficult decisions on an almost daily basis. The evidence to date suggests politicians may be forced to enact legislation or invoke emergency measures because far too many citizens are failing to comply voluntarily. The next stage is to lockdown and quarantine people in place, with enforcement and fines. Other countries that have acted quickly by quelling movement and essentially isolating citizens from each other have been far more successful in slowing the spread of COVID-19 virus. The message stay home was heard or enforced. Sadly, in Canada, too many don’t listen or selfishly ignore.

Too often governments have been slow to react, bogged down, with a sense of fairness for everyone. Luckily, for the most part, partisan politics has been put aside allowing governments to be more forceful. Introducing legislation Tuesday and having it pass today is lightning fast for a democracy. Working together to get a financial package out to businesses and individuals this fast is rare. Even still, some people will complain not quickly enough. The reality is it does take time for public service employees to get necessary details and procedures together. It is a process that will take a couple weeks. Governments will aim to get cheques out in the mail as fast as possible. One must remember the government is dealing with millions of people.

Denmark has decided to put out a package that pays 75 per cent of the salaries of private companies for three months, ‘freezing’ the economy. This stops the hiring and firing from taking place. Seems logical, but unlikely to occur in Canada. Other countries, such as the UK, may follow suit. Putting out an $82 billion support package seems like a considerable sum, but ultimately, by keeping people home, shutting non-essential businesses, that number must surely trend even higher. How much to spend will be a tough decision for all levels of government. A health crisis, together with an economic crisis, is uncharted waters.

Testing quickly and having enough test kits on hand is extremely helpful in pinpointing hotspots or areas of trouble and treating the infected. Keeping people away from healthcare workers is important too. Setting up testing centres near hospitals but not inside has enabled better screening. People with fevers are denied access to many areas, thus preventing the spreading of the virus. Basically, treating the virus early helps take the pressure off hospitals.

In Ontario 38 virus testing centres began fairly quickly, hoping to take pressure off hospitals. Politicians may decide even more are needed for the short-term.

Another tough decision for provincial politicians will be when to allow students and teachers to return to schools. At the moment, in Ontario that will be considerably longer than April 6. A more realistic date would be similar to Quebec, which is aiming for May 1. With the virus continuing to spread, and cases climbing, the school year could possibly be finished, with next September being the new date. As they say, the situation is fluid.

Unfortunately, governments are having to enact stricter laws because too many citizens are failing to stay home.